CAN NATHAN LANE GET A BETTER ROLE?

Nathan Lane takes on the role of President Charles Smith who is campaigning for a second term in office. Dylan Baker stars as Archer Brown, his “right hand man” and Laurie Metcalf, his speechwriter, Clarice Bernstein.

November, is full of some extremely funny dialogue written by David Mamet, that would certainly appeal to Non-Republicans and Bush despisers. The “F” word, used more often than my trips to Florida, just enhances the anger and desperation of Lane’s character.

One of the first things that Charles has to deal with is his wife, who wants to keep the couch for the Presidential library, neither of which will happen. She calls and with enough problems wants to get her off the phone. Archer, in the background, calls out loudly, “Mr. President, Iran has launched a nuclear strike”, even though they are presently at war with Iraq. Is not as if Charles doesn’t care about the library as he feels that it should be in the constitution or a least a “parting gift”.

Getting funds for his campaign is the basis for the play. To obtain this he wants to sell “pardons”. In the meantime, Bernstein has just returned from her first vacation in four years. She had decided to go to China with her lesbian partner in order to adopt a baby. Charles is not pleased with either. Amongst other remarks about the Chinese (as his comments about Jews, Native Americans, homosexuals, etc.) he thinks it’s an act of treason because Chinese restaurants are open on Christmas. With Bernstein’s return, she is also ill. Charles’ comment? “What’s she got, ‘bird flu’?”

The best fundraising idea, and quite humorous situation, comes about as a representative from the National Association of Turkey Manufacturers wants to have Charles pardon two of their turkeys, which includes wanting to first smell his hand. Charles wants to raise the former costs of $50,000 that has been charged for the past three years. Turkey guy: “Your numbers are lower than Ghandi’s cholesterol.”

What else does Charles encounter? A Native American Indian who wants half of the island of Nantucket and Bernstein’s bribing request to have him marry her and her partner in front of the television cameras. Hearing Lane making anti-homosexual comments is as funny as having President Bush in a role that has him backing Hilary Clinton. November is playing at the Ethel Barrymore theatre.

January 31, 2008 - Queens Times